Christmas is a hectic time for any family.

 But try spending Christmas with 12 siblings and their families and you'll have an idea of what the word hectic means to the Rankin family.

 "We used to congregate in Cape Breton, more so in the past when our mother was living," recalls Ray-lene Rankin, who along with sisters Heather and Cookie will perform a special Christmas concert with the CPO at the Jack Singer Concert Hall Dec. 1.

 "Our mother was easily excited by Christmas and she used to start baking about a month beforehand, making everything from her own mincemeat to doughnuts. Every kind of sweet.

 "We used to have really nice Christmases when we were children. I have good memories of being in the choir on Christmas Eve and Christmas carolling.

 "Our parents always made a big deal out of Christmas and made sure there was enough food and that we got enough presents -- the whole thing."

 The Christmas concert tour -- which is also in support of the sisters' 1997 holiday album, Do You Hear ... -- marks Raylene's return to the stage after a one-year absence.

 She quit the popular contemporary celtic group The Rankin Family to raise her two-year-old son.

 Though the band -- which also featured Cookie, Heather and brothers Jimmy and John Morris -- carried on as The Rankins, they finally called in quits in September.

 "It seemed to be the right timing," says Raylene.

 "Collectively, we were all anxious to try something different. Ten years is a long time touring and working together, especially if you're family."

 While Raylene has no solid plans career-wise after the tour finishes, she believes the rest of the group will continue to record individually.

 All except Heather, who has had her heart set on an acting career ever since she was a child and claims to have never thought of herself as a singer.

 "I've been doing a few auditions," explains the high-pitched Heather, who appeared in the award-winning 1997 Canadian film, The Hanging Garden.

 "There's some film work around, so I'm going to continue and see what comes my way.... My experience is primarily in theatre and I haven't done much film work, but that's what I'd like to get into. I'm excited about that challenge."

 Both Heather and Raylene admit to slight trepidation about setting off on their own, although Heather takes a rather philosophical approach to it.

 "Trying something new is always scary, but it's also refreshing," she says.

 "Fear is what holds people back. If you pay attention to that then you'll never experience the good things in life."

 Raylene, Cookie and Heather seem to be having trouble getting away from each other.

 In addition to the latest tour, the three spent a few days in Martha's Vineyard recording backing vocals for Carly Simon's coming album.

 "It was a very good experience for us," says Raylene.

 "I think this is sort of what I'd like to get into.

 "She (Simon) was very hospitable and made sure we felt welcome.

 "We're not buddies or anything, but she was very nice."